Benjamin, known to practically everybody but his mother as Ben, was taking a stroll down Yggdrasil. Thor and Eons had taken a mission and Thor was badly hurt. He didn’t know if it was a rumor or not but judging from the fact he could see the wreckage from up here, it was most likely true.

Which was the reason he’s here right now, with some flowers in his hand, chocolate in his pockets, and an apple in his mouth. (The apple wasn’t meant for either girl.)

Ben’s jacket/cape fluttered regally behind him and Ben grinned at the thought of fighting Commander. And then beating her to the ground.

Sure, he never beat her but that didn’t mean-

A couple of kids sprinted past him, knocking him down in the process. Ben steadied himself against the wall and cried out, “Seriously? Not even a sorry?”

There wasn’t as they drifted from sight. Ben shook his head. “Man, can’t believe I got knocked down by a bunch of kindergartners. If anybody heard of this, they’ll never let me live it down!” Ben paused and grinned. “Kids got spunk. I like that!”

Picking up his apple, he was about to continue on his way when he caught a couple of adults whispering. Now, never let it be said he was an eavesdropper. Listening to conversations wasn’t manly at all, and Ben was the manliest! Accidentally catching something wasn’t eavesdropping, however.....

“-lying! That’s a lie, I tell you!” one of them insisted.

“No, I’m telling you, it’s the truth! I saw her with my very own eyes!” The person speaking poked himself in the eye at this moment and howled.

“Sure, sure. Why would she come back after so long?” the third asked.

“Hey....didn't Thunder Leg get launched into the hospital?” the one who poked himself in the eyes asked.

Ben sniggered. He’d been the one to start calling her Thunder Leg. It didn’t stick well with Nicole, and his body was shaking from electricity the entire day but it’d been worth it!

“Poor kid....what about her though?”

“She was her old teammate! If anybody can make her come back, it has to be her!”

Ben furrowed his eyebrows. Old teammate? Nicole’s current teammate was Cynthia, everybody knew that. Usually, it was a trio but ever since she left, Commander had allowed it to remind a duo.

Wait for a second......she?

He was so stupid! An imbecile! A numbskull! In his defense, he’d given up hope she would ever come back but......

Was it possible Brisingr was here? In Yggdrasil? If she was, she would be on the bridge at the moment. Ben was torn for a few seconds between seeing Brisingr for the first time in years, and following his original plan and going to Eons and Thor.

Finally, he decided on the latter. There was always the slight worry Brisingr would vanish by the time he was ready but she deserved for him to trust in her.

Shouldering the bouquet underneath his armpits, Ben continued, whistling cheerfully. What should be the first thing they’ll do? Spar, of course. It had been quite a while after all and Ben wanted to see how much stronger she’d gotten. What if Brisingr had decreased in power levels? Oh ho ho, he might finally beat her!

A huge smile was plastered on his face. Brisingr was back! He was sure of it now. That didn’t mean he was going to break down and sob all over her……that wasn’t manly at all!

“Maybe I should have a cool persona?” he murmured. “Like, nothing affects me at all? She’d like that, wouldn’t she?”

Ben talked to himself the entire way to the med bay.